Patent Process Reengineering Team and Patent End-To-End Processing Team

1. Patent Process Reengineering TeamandPatent End-To-End Processing Team The Biotechnology and Chemical Pharmaceutical Customer Partnership Christian Chace Patent Process Reengineering Team December 8, 2010

2. Patent End-to-End Processing Team • Overall Goal: • The USPTO’s Patent automation systems are a collection of systems, some dating back to the 1970s, that have evolved independently.  The USPTO ultimately seeks to develop a system architecture which will incorporate a re-design of the pre-examination, examination and post-examination processes.  2

3. Patents End-to-End Characteristics • Deep engagement of the USPTO Director and Senior Advisors • Extensive stakeholder participation • Designed to accommodate ongoing change to business processes; business reengineering effort • XML-based infrastructure and software • Allows text-based searching of application contents • Recent upgrades to network bandwidth completed, further expansion planned

4. Patents End-to-End

5. Benefits • Application text and analytic reports improve examination efficiency • Better data capture and data management will allow for automated validation of work production and analysis of submitted documents • Properly integrated and flexible systems will allow for automated workflow to help with timeliness and reporting for application status • Examiner user interface design will provide quick, single point access to multiple examination processing systems

6. Reengineering Team Goal • To streamline the patent application process to meet the challenges of adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and stakeholder priorities, while ensuring success in meeting the goals of timeliness, quality, and efficiency 6

7. Initiatives • Analyze all business processes and adapt them to a text-based application process • Review all business processes for elimination of unnecessary steps or elements • Review all business processes for simplification and eliminate all impediments to efficiency • Review transitions between processes to ensure smooth and efficient handling of applications from filing to termination of office proceedings 7

8. Initiatives (continued) • Provide direction regarding the appropriate level, vehicle, approach and timing of communications and integration regarding major changes across the USPTO, Patent Corps and key stakeholders • Develop and document any changes to business processes • Work with the Office of Patent Training to develop training plan and material for implementation of business process changes • Organize and facilitate roundtables with the public 8

9. Planned Actions and Status • Initial set up: establish team, charter, timetables, and plans: COMPLETE • Collect data and ideas from multiple sources: • Internal open houses – COMPLETE. Ongoing data collection via PatentProcessReengineeringMailbox@USPTO.gov. • External Outreach: Ad-hoc continuing through focus groups. Formal External Outreach Team formed and Plan nearing completion • Organize concepts (vetting, quick fixes, long-term): • In Progress – more than 12 working groups and 60 people currently working in “sprints”

10. Planned Actions and Status Present and validate reengineered straw man: Planned for January 2011 Collect feedback and adjust: Ongoing Present recommendations for collaboration with IT team: Ongoing Provide support for testing and prototyping: Q3,4 FY11; FY12 Provide assistance for development of training materials; FY12 10

11. Patent Process Reengineering Team Questions? 11

12. Patent Process Reengineering Team Christian Chace Patent Process Reengineering Team Christian.Chace@uspto.gov 571-272-4190 12